DUBLIN, Ireland, JULY 22, 2009 (Zenit.org).- A new report detailing the response of authorities to claims of child abuse by clergy in the Dublin Archdiocese is expected to be published soon.
The report, which details abuse cases from 1975 to 2004, was delivered Tuesday by the Commission of Investigation to Dermot Ahern, Ireland’s Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
Ahern noted his desire to publicize the report as soon as possible, but added that it should be censored, to remove details that could affect the criminal cases of three priests who are facing trial next year.
Today, the minister sent the report to Ireland’s attorney general, Paul Gallagher, following a previously agreed upon protocol, for his advice on whether the document’s publication will prejudice the trials in process.
After this review, the document is expected to be made public.
The report particularly covers the response of state authorities and archdiocesan leaders to allegations of child abuse by clergy, following the cases of 46 priests and some 450 victims in particular.
The investigation began three years ago, under the leadership of Justice Yvonne Murphy, a High Court judge from Dublin.
This submission of the document to Ahern comes two months after the Ryan report, which detailed widespread child abuse in the country’s Catholic schools.
Victim support groups are stating that after the Ryan report, many more people came forward to claim having been abused by clergy.
The groups are appealing for the Dublin report to be withheld until they have time to prepare crisis and counseling centers for the possibility of an onslaught of new victims identifying themselves and seeking help.
